WIMBORNE & COLEHILL II 182-8 (20pts) beat BEAMINSTER 148 (7pts) by 34 runs

ROSS Baker has insisted his side must fix the deficiencies in their batting if they are to experience a turnaround in fortunes in Dorset Division Two.

The Beaminster skipper has now watched his men fail to chase down low targets twice this season with the latest collapse coming in a 34-run defeat against Wimborne & Colehill Seconds at the Leaze at the weekend.

Some tight bowling from Baker’s men restricted the hosts to 182-8 but a combination of poor strokes and a quartet of unfortunate leg before decisions saw the visitors skittled all out for just 148 in reply.

Baker, whose side are still searching for their first victory of the season, said: “We were confident of chasing that down as we had worked hard in the field and bowled well.

“The wicket was good and the outfield was fast but we gave away a few wickets and saw four unlucky leg before decisions go against us, which cost us dearly.

“Although we batted well last week chasing a huge total at home, it is an area we need to improve.

“In the first game of the season we were faced with chasing down a similar total but did not get there and we need to start being more patient and stop giving our wickets away through poor dismissals.

“I think a lot of it is confidence. We suffered quite a few defeats last year and despite going down a division that has unfortunately carried on into this season.

“Our main problem at the moment is availability. We are struggling to put out a consistent line-up and it normally isn’t until the latter stages of the season that we begin to get it together a bit more.

“We only have a small squad so when we have two or three missing it has a big impact on the entire club but hopefully next Saturday against Witchampton at home we will be able to pick a stronger side and get back to winning ways.”

Wimborne won the toss and elected to bat on a hard, green wicket but they found the going tough as Baker (2-42) and Simon Jones (2-36) tied them down in a good opening spell.

Beaminster then continued to apply pressure through Adam Herring (2-26) and with the score on 110-7 they appeared to be in complete control.

However, despite the fine efforts of Hacon Edgley (2-36), Wimborne then staged a revival at the end of the innings to close on 182-8 thanks mainly to an eighth-wicket stand of 61 between Simon Woodruff (41 not out) and S Nye (31).

In reply, Beaminster started slowly with Richie Runyard (32) and Nick David (8) putting on 30 for the first wicket.

David was eventually given out leg before and then Jones (17) followed suit as the visitors began to struggle.

Runyard then got out to a poor shot and although Baker (22) put up some resistance in the middle order the rest of the line-up failed to make an impression as Wimborne knocked over the rest of the wickets with relative ease, with Nye (5-27) picking up a glorious fifer.